Back-to-School Gift Tags for Teachers with Quick Tips for a Stronger, Happier Family [Friday’s Fast Five: 3rd Edition]

Building a stronger, happier family is at the top of most parents’ list. However, we are busy! These weekly Fast Five ideas and tips are a quick way to brainstorm, check-in, and create the family relationships you really want. Included in today’s ideas are free printable back-to-school gift tags for teachers, plus other ideas that work all year round. Happy Friday!

* These ideas are NOT meant to be a checklist or guilt trip of things we “should do.” Rather, they are intended to inspire you to find what works for YOUR family to learn, laugh, and love together. Remember to stick to the Simple Side of Parenting.

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What is Friday’s Fast Five?

Each Friday, we will share five quick and simple ideas for families under the following categories:

1. Something Fun

This is an activity, game, entertainment recommendation, or simple outing for family fun.

2. A Little Lesson

Here you will find a simple lesson to help teach kids important ideas. Examples include life skills or personal qualities like kindness and patience.

3. A Service Idea

Volunteering is good for our mental and physical health. Serving together strengthens relationships with those we serve and those we serve with. Service can be fun and eye-opening. Service is an important way to learn, laugh, and love together.

4. Something Random

This is a random thought, idea, quote, or meme, typically to help you smile. 🙂

5. A Quick Tip

Here you will find a quick parenting or family tip for peaceful parenting or building a stronger, happier family. These come from research, personal experience, or those common sense reminders we all need to hear once in a while.

Yes, Please!

With that, here is the third edition of Friday’s Fast Five. (You can find other editions HERE.)

1. Something Fun: Fishbowl Game

When I first saw this game played on a Hallmark movie, I thought, “Hey! That’s our family fun game!” Before that I didn’t realize it was a “real” thing because when I originally learned how to play this game with my cousins, it was named after our family. So, I give you permission to do the same. Introducing the ______________ Family Fun Game!

First, cut up strips of paper. Have everyone write down five or more names of famous people or people your family knows. Think movie characters, Uncle Joe, or Harry Potter. Don’t show the names to others. Fold the names and put them in a basket. (Or put them in a fishbowl, hence the name, but I don’t recommend that for youngsters of course!)

With younger kids that can’t read yet, a great variation is to use the cards from the Disney Family Edition of Codenames . (It’s a fun game to have around too!)

Click image for purchasing information.

Split into two teams. The first player gets their teammates to guess as many of the names as possible in one minute by explaining who the person is. Then the next team has a turn. When all the names have been guessed that is the end of the round. Put the names back in the basket, and move onto the next round.

In round two, players act out the names. In round three, players are only allowed to say one word. (But remember, by now all the names have been guessed twice already, so it really is possible!)

At the end of the three rounds, the team who has guessed the most names correctly wins. This is a fun game and is ideal for large groups too. It’s a great last-minute idea when you have friends or cousins over.

2. A Little Lesson: Strength in Numbers Object Lesson

This simple and quick object lesson is a great way to teach kids the importance of working together. It’s a fantastic way to start a conversation about being kind to someone who is being picked on or how to support others on a team or in a family.

Discuss how we are stronger when we support each other and stick together.

I love asking each family member two questions: “What can you do to support the family (team, class, etc.)?” and “How can we all best support you.” As we find specific ways to support each other, we are building a stronger, happier family.

Related: T is for Team Home Preschool Lesson

Wondering how to fit Little Lessons into your busy family schedule?

The two main ways to fit important lessons into your busy family schedule are to find spontaneous teaching moments throughout the day and to schedule family learning time each week. These two posts go into detail about these two ways and tips for making it happen with your family.

How Busy Parents Can Teach Important Life Lessons

6 Tips for Family Time that Teaches Life’s Most Important Lessons

3. A Service Idea: Serve a Teacher, Including Free Printable Back-to-School Gift Tags for Teachers

Kids are beginning to head back to school, and it’s looking and feeling different for everyone. (For posterity, I’m writing this post in August 2020.) Whether you’re distance learning, face-to-face, or homeschooling, our teachers are working hard to make this a great year for our kiddos.

Now is an ideal time to find a way to serve a teacher you know. But, these ideas are also great for any time of year.

These Back-to-School Gift Tags and Notes for Teachers are especially created for 2020.

One idea I love is to have your child pick out a new book for the classroom. Then print and attach the note that says, “When the story of this year is told, your part will be brilliant and bold. Thank you for working hard to make this a great year!”

Your child could also fill in the blanks on the second page to create a personalized letter for the new school year. Alternately, you could get out the craft supplies and have your kids make their own back-to-school gift tags or notes for their teacher.

Most teachers use their own funds to supplement classroom materials and activities. A gift card or cash is always helpful and appreciated.

Alternately, think how you could deliver a week-night meal or help set-up or clean a classroom if social distancing allows.

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Service is a great way to build a stronger, happier family. If you want more service ideas, request Raising Compassionate Children in a Conceited World, which includes 101 Service Ideas for Families.

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4. Something Random: Kid Joke and After School Snack Idea

I love kid jokes. They are a simple way to laugh together. Here’s a classic…

Haha! 🙂

Most days during the school year, for after school snack our kids can choose a piece of fruit, a veggie, or a cheese stick. However, once in a while, I like to make something different or fun.

A favorite after school snack is always Macho Nachos. Spread out tortilla chips on a baking sheet. Layer with cheese and then various vegetables or leftover meat. Think ground beef, shredded chicken, sweet peppers, tomatoes, etc. Broil in the oven until the cheese is bubbly.

5. A Quick Tip: Mindsets for a Peaceful Home

One of the keys to finding inner peace as a parent is knowing that peace is more about what’s happening inside of us rather than outside. We can embrace mindsets that allow us to develop the actions and then habits that lead to a peaceful home and life.

An important mindset shift in this regard is remembering that love is the best answer.

If you’d like to feel a little more peace in the midst of the chaos, check out this recent post: How to Find Inner Peace as a Parent: 3 Powerful Mindset Shifts.

And that is Friday’s Fast Five!

Yes, Please!

You can also see Friday’s Fast Five on Instagram or other editions HERE.

Building a Stronger, Happier Family

It takes time and intention to build a stronger, happier family. I hope Friday’s Fast Five helps you find the ways that work for YOUR family to learn, laugh, and love together.

We will never regret the time we devote to our families and relationships with our kids.

Have a great weekend with your family, know that you’re loved, and keep on lovin’!

Do you have a great idea for a future Friday’s Fast Five? Have a question or parenting struggle you want help with? Share in the comments, shoot me an Email, or schedule a call.

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